Enjoy this delicious Agua de Jamaica! A classic Mexican drink made with dried roselle hibiscus flowers infused in hot water. It’s just like making tea!
Want to have something different but healthy to drink? Then look no further! Agua De Jamaica is a refreshing tea that is full of vitamin C, minerals and lot of invigorating flavor.
Agua De Jamaica is one of the most popular Agua Frescas in Mexico just like Agua De Sandia, Agua De Pepino or Agua De Piña. Want something creamy? Make my Horchata! It's a crowd favorite that never disappoints.
In this post you’ll find:
What exactly is Jamaica?
The correct term for Jamaica in English is Roselle (y en Español es rosa de Jamaica) - Hibiscus sabdariffa. The drink it's not made out of those ornamental hibiscus plants like you see in the photos with the drinks (those were just used as props lol).
Jamaica has many health benefits including lowering blood pressure, reduce levels of sugar and fats in blood, reduces inflammation and other amazing uses.
Ingredients
You only need two ingredients (not counting water) to make this traditional Agua de Jamaica drink: Jamaica dried flowers & sugar
Hibiscus Tea is a little that and it requires sugar to make it more easy to drink. However, you can use a natural sweetener if you're trying to avoid sugar.
- 2 cups dried Jamaica flowers also known as hibiscus or flor de Jamaica
- 16 cups water (
- 1 cup sugar
Where to find dried Jamaica flowers
Most common grocery stores are starting to carry the dried hibiscus flowers since its' finally starting to become popular for good reasons. Look in the latin section as a spice.
If your grocery store does not carry it, try a latin store since it's very likely they will carry it. Your third option would be online like Amazon or any tea stores.
How to make Agua de Jamaica
- First, place to 2 cups of dried Jamaica and 8 cups of cold water in a medium pot.
- Bring the Jamaica & water to a soft boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add the sugar at this point and stir well until all of the sugar is dissolved. NOTE: We want to make sure we do this process while Jamaica is still hot so that the sugar dissolves easily.
- Add the remaining of the water and let it cool & steep for at least 2 hours (I let mine sit overnight covered on my counter since I like it to have a strong flavor!)
- When ready, just strain it to remove the flowers. Taste for sugar and water and add more if necessary.
That's it! Keep in refrigerator until ready to use and serve over ice.
Print Recipe
Agua de Jamaica - only 2 ingredient Hibiscus Tea
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried jamaica flowers also known as hibiscus or flor de Jamaica
- 16 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- In a large pot, place the 2 cups of dried Jamaica and 8 cups of water.
- Over medium high heat, bring it to a soft boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Add the sugar and stir well until all of the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the remaining of the water and let it cool (I let mine sit overnight covered on my counter since I like it to have a strong flavor!)
- Strain. Taste for sugar and water and add more if necessary.
- Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve over ice.
Notes
- Keep in refrigerator in an air tight container until ready to use and serve over ice.
- You can make a concentrate (without adding the last cups of water) and keep refrigerated for up to 1 month.
- To keep the sugar intake low, just add stevia or truvia instead of sugar.
- Agua De Jamaica is made from Hibiscus Sabdariffa
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in November 2019. Post has been updated to be show step by step instructions and to be more helpful.
Grow your own Roselle Hibiscus plant!!
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), is usually grown in tropical and subtropical areas (USDA zones 8-11). Roselle plant care is relatively easy! Last year I sowed my seeds in March and harvested the hibiscus calyxes around October/November. Just sow your seeds or plant your cuttings in sandy loam that receives full sun and water regularly.
The beauty is that it does not need much fertilizers but I fed it with fish emulsion at least once a month to keep it happy and healthy.
Tip: This plant does not like the cold but loves the heat! So if you need to protect heat sensitive plants, Roselle Hibiscus is a great plant to grow around them to protect from the blistering summer sun.
My plants from last year! How gorgeous are they?
Cheers!
Biana says
What a fun hibiscus drink, looks perfect for summer!
Ana Frias says
Yes it is Biana! I think I have Jamaica almost weekly during the summer. So good for you!
Caylie says
I absolutely love this drink! I made it today and it’s the perfect thing to keep you cool this summer! Thanks!!
Ana Frias says
I'm delighted you liked Caylie! Thank you!
Sharon says
This is a light and fruity tea that is slightly sweet. The perfect sipping drink for summer.
Ana Frias says
Yes it is sharon! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Pam says
I have never had this, but plan to make it soon. It's got to be as delicious as it is beautiful!
Ana Frias says
I'm sure you'll love it! Emjoy Pam!
Beth says
My daughter and I prefer tea over soda and juice, so I made this with her a couple days ago. It's now our new favorite drink and so refreshing! We'll be making this all summer!
Ana Frias says
I prefer tea over soda too! And this drink has so many health properties too so way better. Thanks for stopping by Beth!
Buff Pablo says
My Mexican wife turned me on to jamaica and so glad she did. Such a refreshing and flavorful drink. I wish more restaurants offered this as I get tired of having ice tea all the time and prefer not to drink soda.
Ana Frias says
I agree! I wish more restaurants would offer this. The only I see all the time is Horchata. I'm so glad you like this!
Becky Armstrong says
There is a wonderful vegetarian restaurant in Orange California
(The Green Door Cafe). They sell a lot of this but they add a touch of cinnamon! Delicious!
Ana Frias says
Adding the cinnamon sounds great! Thanks so much for the comment Becky!
Ilse says
Hi Ana,
I'm so glad you made this recipe, it's one of my favorites aguas frescas! I have a question though, where do you find the hibiscus dried flower?
Thanks,
Ana Frias says
Hi Ilse, you can find them on your favorite latin store or even amazon. Lots of asian places carry them too. Thanks for asking!
Katrina says
What a beauty!! This drink is so dang perfect for summer! And I love those flavours!
Ana Frias says
Thank you Katrina!